As a proof that my ideas are not quite visions, I send you a most curious paper;(903) such as I believe no magistrate would have pronounced in the time of Charles 1.  I should not like to have it known to come from me, nor any part of the intelligence I send you; with regard to which, if you think it necessary to communicate it to particular persons, I desire my name may be suppressed.  I tell it for your satisfaction and information, but would not have any body else think that I do any thing here but amuse myself; my amusements indeed are triste enough, and consist wholly in trying to get well; but my recovery moves very slowly.  I have not yet had any thing but cloth shoes on, live sometimes a whole day on warm water, and am never tolerably well till twelve or one o’clock.

I have had another letter from Sir Horace Mann, who has much at heart his riband and increase of character.  Consequently you know, as I love him so much, I must have them at heart too.  Count Lorenzi is recalled, because here they think it necessary to send a Frenchman of higher rank to the new grand ducal court.  I wish Sir Horace could be raised on this occasion.  For his riband, his promise is so old and so positive, that it is quite a hardship.

Pray put the colonies in good-humour:  I see they are violently Disposed to the new administration.  I have not time to say more, nor more to say if I had time; so good night!  Let me know if you receive this, and how soon:  it goes the day after to-morrow.  Various reports say the Duke of Richmond comes this week.  I sent you a letter by Monsieur de Guerchy.  Dusson, I hear, goes ambassador to Poland.  Tell Lady Ailesbury that I have five or six little parcels, though not above one for her, of laces and ribands, which Lady Cecilic left Wit me:  but how to convey them the Lord knows.  Yours ever.

(903) This paper does not appear.

Letter 279 To Mr. Gray.  Paris, Nov. 19, 1765. (page 441)

You are very kind to inquire so particularly after my gout.  I wish I may not be so circumstantial in my answer:  but you have tapped a dangerous topic; I can talk gout by the hour.  It is my great mortification, and has disappointed all the hopes that I had built on temperance and hardiness.  I have resisted like a hermit, and exposed myself to all weathers and seasons like a smuggler; and in vain.  I have, however, still so much of the obstinacy of both professions left, that I think I shall continue, and cannot obey you in keeping myself warm.  I have gone through my second fit under one blanket, and already go about in a silk waistcoat with my bosom unbuttoned.  In short, I am as prejudiced to try regimen, though so ineffectual, as I could have been to all I expected from it.  The truth is, I am almost as willing to have the gout as to be liable to catch cold; and must run up stairs and down, in and out of doors, when I will,